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Education

College Possible helps students succeed

Malcom Hicks, right, a student at Pulaski High School, works with Courtney Steggall of College Possible, to answer scholarship application questions. College Possible is a growing nonprofit that’s building a track record of helping low-income high schoolers to pursue a college education.

It was not until Hicks was approached by Courtney Steggall, a senior coach for College Possible Milwaukee, that he began contemplating the idea.

At the start of his junior year at Pulaski High School, Hicks joined College Possible Milwaukee. The organization aims to help low-income students prepare for, apply to and succeed in college.

"If it wasn't for College Possible, I wouldn't have applied to as many colleges as I have and maybe wouldn't be going to college at all," he said.

Now a senior at Pulaski, Hicks has applied to seven colleges and has been accepted so far into the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Northern Michigan University.

As Hicks' senior coach, Steggall supports him and 33 other high school seniors through the college and financial aid application process.

The organization was recently awarded $300,000 in grant money from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corp. for the 2013-'14 fiscal year.

The philanthropic extension of Great Lakes, a Madison-based nonprofit that guarantees and services federal student loans, aims to improve lives by increasing access to and success in higher education, according to Amy Kerwin, the organization's chief educational opportunities officer.

College Possible Milwaukee's award was part of $4 million in "College Ready" grants Great Lakes awarded to 34 student-centered programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The grants support programs for students from low-income backgrounds.

College Possible was founded by Jim McCorkell in 2000 and expanded to Milwaukee in 2008. There also are sites in Minnesota's Twin Cities; Omaha, Neb.; and Portland, Ore.

College Possible Milwaukee works with 600 juniors and seniors attending 10 Milwaukee-area schools: Alexander Hamilton High School, International Peace Academy, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Milwaukee School of Languages, Pulaski, Riverside University High School, Morse-Marshall School, South Division High School, and the Thomas More and St. Joan Antida high schools in the archdiocese system.

According to the College Possible Milwaukee website, 98% of its high school participants get admitted to college.

Nationwide, the organization worked with 2,300 juniors and seniors, 3,900 college students and 5,400 ninth- and 10th-graders during the 2012-'13 academic year.

Edie Turnbull, the executive director of College Possible Milwaukee, said it is important to push low-income students to higher education.

"Educating our capable low-income students is not only the right thing to do, it is one of the best ways to maintain our country's strong workforce in a competitive global economy," Turnbull said.

A study conducted by Harvard University researcher Chris Avery and College Possible examined the impact of a college success program.

The findings show College Possible's approach to unlocking the potential of low-income students is effective and that students served are significantly more likely to enroll in a four-year college, according to a statement released by College Possible Milwaukee.

College Possible Milwaukee also works with approximately 1,500 ninth- and 10th-graders through college prep sessions, as well as approximately 800 former high school students who participated in the College Possible program and are now in college.

Isela Ramirez, a Milwaukee native and Hamilton alumna, began working with College Possible Milwaukee in mid-August after graduating from Alverno College in December 2012.

Ramirez is one of the hundreds of AmeriCorps members who work with College Possible. She serves as a college coach to 191 students, helping them make the transition from high school to college.

"Each student's journey in college is completely different and for that reason, I have some students that I am in constant contact with while I have other students that I hear from very sporadically," Ramirez said.

College Possible Milwaukee team members who work with college students focus on helping them feel at home on their campuses, as well as succeeding academically.

"I help students connect to the number of different resources on their campuses, motivate them, answer any questions that might come up and take the proper steps to ensure they are on track to earning a college degree," she said.

Hicks said the organization serves as a helpful academic and emotional resource for students who want to attend college.

"(College Possible Milwaukee) gives students hope, and it lets them know that they aren't stupid and don't have to be another statistic," Hicks said.